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President Barack Obama and Cricket

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In an interview with Anwar Iqbal:

‘You cannot escape cricket while living with Pakistanis. Did they leave a cricket bat with you?’
‘You know, I have to say that I have tried to get up to bat a couple of times, but I’ve been terrible. So I’m an admirer of great cricket players, but make no claims in terms of my own skills,’ said Mr Obama, breaking into a broad smile.

‘You cannot escape cricket while living with Pakistanis. Did they leave a cricket bat with you?’

‘You know, I have to say that I have tried to get up to bat a couple of times, but I’ve been terrible. So I’m an admirer of great cricket players, but make no claims in terms of my own skills,’ said Mr Obama, breaking into a broad smile.

Obama is probably talking about the time he shared some batting tips with Brian Lara. From a political standpoint, Obama would be well-served to associate himself with soccer (sorry, football!) and cricket when he gets the opportunity. And on that score, it seems that he has accepted an invitation to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

BTW, what’s up with South Africa hosting all the big tournaments nowadays, including the Indian Premier League? Will the Olympics be next?

Barack Obama, Brian Lara and Cricket

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American President Barack Obama’s visit to the 34-nation Fifth Summit of the Americas has been the main content on the front pages of newspapers and news websites and blogs after his friendly handshake with the anti-American Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. But they all missed the real news which is of importance to the entire English Commonwealth community, i.e., the meeting with Brian Lara. Luckily for us, some news reporters did their job.

Caribbean News reports:

Lara gave the president some batting tips and took photographs before presenting him with a personally-autographed bat which read: ”To the President of the United States, Barack Obama, in appreciation of your visit to T&T – Best wishes.

Rediff:

Obama seemed keen to know more about cricket and the West Indies legend showed him the proper batting stance and gave a few tips regarding the forward defensive stroke as well as the classic cover drive.

Cricinfo:

Obama greeted Lara by saying that he “always wanted to meet the Michael Jordan of cricket”. [...] “It was beautiful,” gushed hotel manager Ali Khan. “You could see the expression on [Obama’s] face and his daughter’s. He was truly emotional and touched as were all of us.”

DreamCricket USA:

President Obama, however, will be remembered as the first president to attempt a left handed cover drive. On second thoughts, Obama may also end up as the first president to be banned from cricket by Lalit Modi for taking lessons from an ICL player!

Buth Yaar and Well Pitched:

However, it’s interesting that Obama personally asked to meet Lara, who he called the “Michael Jordan of Cricket”. Seems like Mr. Prez knows a thing or two about that good ol’ British colonial sport!